WHERE is the shampoo???

Someday I will learn to be a light packer. I don’t know which is worse: the stress of having to deal with baggage on the airplane/ etc or the stress of not having that cute dress that was left in the closet. The flight from Indianapolis to Charlotte, SC was quick… but I realized I should have better prepared my Ipod shuffle. [way too many Taylor Swift songs synced… oops] I got a good look at the Smokey Mountains. They are quite beautiful. It makes me want to move to the Smokey Mountain area. That idea will have to just get in line! Haha, I am finding that I want to do everything…. Like that country song “I wanna do it all….” …. I don’t remember how the rest goes. I am feeling very anxious/excited/etc. I really just want to arrive and start getting ahold of things. I mean, I don’t really know anyone there…. Someone at IPFW told me that I would look back on this experience and think “Did I really do that???” … and now, I am starting to understand why. It is going to be an interesting 5 months…. And a really interesting next 10 days. Bring on the adventure!!!! (the fun kind. Not the dangerous kind, of course)

So here I am…. Sitting in an apartment. A taxi driver drove me here… and he wasn’t a very happy one. But, I got here. I hauled up to the second floor my 150lbs of baggage that I am at this point regretting. Then, I decided to go to the store. I wanted some food…. And I wanted to explore a little bit. I went to the pharmacy and the grocery store. The grocery store was what really got me. I felt so lost… I didn’t know what to buy…. What to prepare. They have a lot of things I am used to back in Indiana, but I was feeling very flustered. The name for beans “frijoles” isn’t even the same here….

And- this morning I was running late, so I didn't get a shower, right? And I didn't have room for shampoo in my suitcase. I thought it would be easy to just buy some here. But I couldn't find any... and just when I was about to give up BAM! Shampoo. SO! I came back from the store and I ate a delicious lunch--- fresh made bread with salami and cheese. I must comment, the bread was so delicious. Its called "Pan de agua" or Water bread... not really sure about the translation. But its so good. I will probably eat that a lot during my stay.

I figured out how to connect my computer to the internet. WIN!

I got to talking to my roommates (temporary ones) and they were talking about the train and the bus, etc. and I decided that I needed to ride the train. It’s 75 cents one way…. So, I thought I would do that for entertainment…. And help me figure my way around a little bit. My trip was pretty uneventful… but it was nice to get out and walk around.

I have to admit, it’s been a little weird so far. Walking down the street feels like Guatemala... but it throws me off because it’s NOT Guatemala. It will be a little hard to adapt than I had thought/ planned… but I will make with do. But, I am very excited for the 13^th because I get to go to the university housing and meet a bunch of other students!

Well, I am getting tired! It’s been a long day. I think I will go take a shower. I’m all sticky because its so stinkin’ humid here!

Here's some pictures of my day:

I was discreetly trying to take a picture of the wild chickens... that's why its blurry. BUT LOOK!!!!! hehe. i love chicken.

I got really excited when i saw this "flower tree." These were my favorite flowers in Guatemala and I WAS SOOOOO happy to see them here. The tree is right in front of my house where I am staying. Now you know where to find me.

My colony where I will be til Friday! :) This looks like it could be in Guatemala too!!!!!

I think I have talked about Guatemala too much.... sighhhh...... its time to be Puerto Rican.... not Guatemalan!!!!! :D :D :D